Roof Trusses Vs Roof Rafters

While rafters are less and less frequently used today due to the higher cost of rafters vs trusses they do have certain advantages.

Roof trusses vs roof rafters.

Rafters take a tremendous amount of time to install at the job site compared to roof trusses. As trusses are prefabricated they may be costlier than rafters however the installation and labor cost involved in roof rafters is comparatively higher than trusses. Unlike stick built rafter construction that is done on site most trusses are made in a factory and delivered to the work site ready for installation. It s also simpler to accommodate a home addition with rafter roofing.

Though the stick process is an older process it is still very popular. Rafters provide more storage space and a wider variety of roof design options while trusses offer strength and an easier installation process. Roof trusses have been used in the majority of new homes during recent years. Experienced carpenters can install the roof trusses on an average home in the u s.

Roof truss basics roof trusses are engineered wood alternatives to hand framed rafters. In this guide we will define roof trusses and rafters and explain the pros and cons of each for comparison. A typical home roof construction is composed of multiple trusses spaced out evenly over a span extending from one end of the house to the opposite end. They support live and dead loads by efficiently transferring the loads to the building walls or supports.

As we will see below there are several different types of designs and this will impact the angles and designs of the overall truss. There are two ways to put up a roof using the stick method or using the roof truss method. Stick framing is flexible and may be altered without compromising the structure. Trusses for a shed.

Rafters are better for smaller sheds while trusses are better for larger sheds since they are difficult to install on smaller buildings. For good looks as in the case of vaulted or cathedral ceilings as well as practical purposes like building an extra bedroom home office or storage. As a result you can create open space under the roof. It is certainly true that trusses are more commonly used than rafters.

The truss is a framework consisting of rafters posts and struts which supports your roof. So what are the advantages of rafters vs. Though they use completely different processes there are pros and cons to each method. Just as there are many types of roofs with many roof parts there are many different types of roof trusses this extensive article explains through a series of custom truss diagrams the different truss configurations you can use for various roofs.

Live loads are not always present. They re more economical to build and offer the same or greater roof strength. Rafters could take an entire week to be installed whereas trusses could be installed in a day which means trusses could save a lot of time. Examples of live loads are snow wind rain and temporary construction loads.